Gatland wants focus on rugby as Wales meet Ireland

CARDIFF: For Wales Rugby coach Warren Gatland, the Six Nations game against Ireland on Saturday cannot come soon enough.

And that’s not just because it marks the start of the New Zealander’s second spell in charge of the national team.

It also means, for many, the focus of Welsh Rugby turns to exactly that - Rugby.

“Last week, there was only one topic of discussion and that was understandable,” Gatland said, referring to the scandal engulfing the Welsh Rugby Union following allegations of sexism, bullying and racism made in a scathing TV documentary.

“This week, the message to the players is we have a test match to focus on. Rugby has been the only talking point and the players have been great in terms of that. It has been a bit of a challenge, but our whole focus is on Saturday.”

Ater all, that’s what he was hired - again - for. To ignite the energy and spark in a Welsh team that appeared to be driting under his predecessor, Wayne Pivac, less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup in France. Heck, Wales lost to Georgia in November.

With Gatland back, excitement levels have been raised. Belief is back. That’s what happens when you bring in one of the world’s best coaches - perhaps the best of this generation.

“I oten get asked about the Welsh and what they are like,” he said. “They are very knowledgeable about the game, passionate and opinionated. And I love that.

“The emotion is all about playing in an incredible stadium, with a passionate crowd and the buzz that you get from that. There is a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation, a lot of scrutiny - that comes with the role - but there is nothing beter than playing in a full stadium with the intensity that is required.” Watch out, Ireland. A red tide is coming your way. Then again, this is an Irish team coming off a series win in New Zealand and a clean sweep of autumn victories over South Africa, Fiji and Australia. This is the world’s top-ranked nation, which - whisper it - might just be ready for a tilt at a first World Cup title.

Indeed, for Ireland coach Andy Farrell, savoring the experience of playing in the white-hot atmosphere of the Principality Stadium is important for his players in the bigger picture.